Lifestyle 27 Apr 26 · by Vignoli Food

The Benefits of Drinking Olive Oil

A Sip a Day Keeps The Doctor Away

By now, we all agree that the Mediterranean way of eating is probably the healthiest lifestyle choice by far. Regardless of fashionable food fads trending right now, we always seem to come full circle back to the diet that continues to prove itself repeatedly.

The Mediterranean diet includes consuming antioxidant-rich extra-virgin olive oil. The proven health benefits of this “liquid gold” are numerous. They include lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and cognitive decline. Other advantages include reducing inflammation and high blood pressure while boosting the immune system and contributing to gut health.

So why not go for the gold? First, consider the popularity of drinking small quantities of extra-virgin olive oil daily for its health benefits. Believers include celebrities like Beyoncé, Kourtney Kardashian, Selena Gomez, Goldie Hawn, and Kelly Clarkson. The recommended daily dose is two tablespoons (about 26 grams), always with a high-quality extra-virgin oil for its purity.

Suppose you decide to join the ranks of these celebrities and give this a try. As with anything new, begin with small quantities. One teaspoon (about 4.5 grams) per day is a good starting point, preferably in the morning, since extra-virgin olive oil absorbs into the body much faster before eating. The light coating of oil in the digestive tract and stomach might also ease symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.

Flush with Polyphenols

Some people enjoy the flavor of extra-virgin olive oil straight and appreciate the characteristic “burn” they experience at the back of the throat. That minor tingling sensation, sometimes followed by a slight cough, indicates that you’re enjoying a pure, unadulterated oil high in antioxidants from natural plant polyphenols. If you have ever tasted an olive oil that tickled the back of your throat, you’ve met them: polyphenols. But you may not know all that they can do.

Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that combat the free radicals in our bodies that cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a catalyst for practically every health condition we want to avoid – cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, and even wrinkles.

Pay attention to how you feel when you start drinking extra-virgin olive oil. Increase your intake slowly over time. Let it become a ritual. Notice the color and enjoy the aroma before taking the first sip; sip it slowly like a fine wine. Try different varieties and flavors until you find one that genuinely appeals to you.

Finally, make it an everyday pleasure you look forward to by selecting that perfect antique spoon or tiny glass to savor it in.

Should You Drink Your Daily Dose?

So now you know that olive oil is not only your best friend in the kitchen, it’s also one of your body’s best weapons. The Food and Drug Administration recommends a daily intake of 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil. This can be consumed raw or in cooked, although there is some evidence that the antioxidants in olive oil can be altered when cooked at a high heat.

A morning shot of extra virgin olive oil ensures you get your daily dose of MUFAs and polyphenols in their beautifully raw and unadulterated form.

If straight EVOO sounds a bit rough for the morning palate, Vignoli’s line of Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oils adds a hint of blood orange, lemon, mandarin or Meyer lemon to your essential daily dose.

Remember, the benefit lies in ingesting extra-virgin olive oil daily in its natural raw state. If taking it neat disagrees with you, then stop! Instead, revert to enjoying it the traditional way, as a finishing oil. Drizzle it on anything you can think of, including salads and vegetables, into smoothies, onto wrap and sandwich fillings, swirled into soups and all kinds of dips, and of course, on top of pasta.

Some of our suggested extra-virgin olive oils for sipping include: